By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI Bauchi –
Alhaji Sani Toro, the former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), who was recently kidnapped along with two others, has said they were almost killed while in captivity.
NATIONAL ACCORD had reported that Toro, a former Assistant Coach of the Nigeria Super Eagles, Garba Yila and one of their friends, Alhaji Isa Jah, were kidnapped on Saturday while returning to Bauchi from Abuja after attending the wedding of the son of a former President of the NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari.
The kidnappers had demanded N150 million as ransom before releasing them. They were released on Tuesday after the payment of an undisclosed amount of money was paid as ransom.
Narrating their experience to journalists at his residence in GRA, Bauchi on Wednesday, Alhaji Toro said they had a very bitter experience.
The former NFF scribe said the kidnappers who were 12 in number were heavily armed, stopped their vehicle at Anguwan Mallam Musa, in Fada Karshe in Kaduna State about 8:00pm.
He said the kidnappers took them to an unknown destination in the forest where they stayed for almost 3 days without food or water.
Toro said: “They stopped us at about 8pm and ordered us out of our car while pointing their guns at us, and started trekking. They had AK-47 rifles with them. We trekked into the bush from that 8.00pm to 5am when we got to where they were taking us to.
“We crossed through a big and deep river whose level was above our chest. They neither gave us food or water to drink. It was a terrible experience. They were young men in their 30s.
“We wanted to pray but they prevented us from performing our prayers. Prayers for Nigerians especially people in Bauchi, my family, associates, everyone.
“They collected our phones but they later gave me and asked me to provide a number to call and that was when I gave Aminu Maigari’s number because we went to his son’s wedding.
“I am grateful to the Almighty Allah for sparing our lives. I am also grateful to Nigerians for their prayers because many people kept praying for us. When I came back many people including many prominent people kept coming here to greet me.
“I thank everyone for the love they showed me and my family throughout this trying period. I felt so much love.”
He also said that the kidnappers did not wear any mask, they left their faces open because they don’t fear anyone.
Speaking if any ransom was paid and how much, Toro, a one-time Commissioner of Sports in Bauchi State, said he was oblivious of the details that led to his release and cannot ascertain the amount that was paid as ransom to secure their release.”
He said he has forgiven the kidnappers and ask Nigerians should continue to pray for them stressing that: “We need to pray for them (kidnappers) because they need prayers. It is a very serious and an unfortunate thing.”
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